The Butler County Family YMCA is excited about our youth group mentoring program called Reach & Rise®. Are you excited? Do you want to become a YMCA Youth Mentor? Download the application form below!
The Butler County Family YMCA is proud of our youth group-mentoring program, Reach & Rise®. This group model helps empower youth ages 6-17 in overcoming challenges that are prevalent in today’s society, such as low self-esteem, unsatisfactory academic progress, peer difficulties, and poor decision-making skills.
Reach & Rise® is a national YMCA evidence-based youth mentoring program with published research leading to specific guidelines that will help to ensure the success of the program. Our group mentoring program matches up to six youth of similar age with two trained adult volunteers. Each group can be formed by age, goals they would like to work toward (like gaining social skills or managing anger), by geographic area, or in other ways that will benefit children in the group. Then volunteer mentors create safe, healthy and meaningful relationships with youth utilizing therapeutically-based activities developed by Reach & Rise® to help the youth achieve their personal goals for growth.
Reach & Rise® is an evidence-based youth mentoring program with published research leading to specific guidelines that will help to ensure the success of the program. Participants report:
These quotes are a small representation of the three highest reported reasons for program participation: reducing anger, communicating feelings and developing friendship skills. Other goals have included managing anxiety and depression, improving self-esteem, building healthy relationships, and trying things outside their comfort zone.
YES! Volunteer Mentors must:
To be included in the program, a youth and their family meet with a program staff to fill out the required paperwork and discuss the youth's strengths and goals for personal growth. Referral sources include school districts, churches, mental health providers, individuals and family members.
Since its founding, the YMCA’s cause has been to strengthen communities. Our youth mentoring efforts to date have been focused on one child/one adult model. We recognized there is a gap in serving groups of children. As we researched numerous programs over the course of a year, we found the Reach & Rise® program was a good fit to meet the needs of our community.
This program is offered for FREE to participants. Funds for this program come from the YMCA’s Annual Support Campaign. This important fund helps to support community programming to ensure that everyone regardless of age, income, or background has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.
In addition, we have fundraising events that are established and dedicated to our Youth Mentoring programs. We are confident the community will continue to support efforts to help children.
We are already applying for multiple grants. We are meeting, and in many ways, exceeding the national standard for Reach & Rise® program goals. We are excited to REACH more youth and are preparing to RISE to a new level of service in Butler County!
For additional questions, contact Melanie Holzwarth, Reach & Rise® Administrative Assistant, at mholzwarth@bcfymca.org.
For additional questions or information,
contact Jessica Burr, Clinical Director, Reach & Rise® jburr@bcfymca.org
When you give to the Y, you are funding life-changing programs that help thousands of children, adults and families in Butler County to learn, grow and thrive.
"As a teen, the Butler County Family YMCA was a healthy outlet for me—basketball, swimming, and weightlifting. I'll never forget the kindness of the Y Staff all those years, and I'm grateful for the opportunity now to bring my kids with the help of financial assistance." - A thankful dad
"Before the pandemic, I generally would take 5 or 6 fitness classes a week in-person. Now that the pandemic continues, I'm still working out but at home. I'm still taking YMCA classes, but now virtually through Facebook and ZOOM! The instructors' quality and the level of their involvement with the participants in their class is still excellent. Please congratulate your staff for their fine work." - James
"I cannot thank the Y enough for the financial assistance and excellent childcare they provide. We consider them our second family." – Anna, Mom of four
"I am working hard on learning the butterfly stroke now. I didn't even know how to swim before I came to the Y! I want to be a Navy Seal, and knowing how to swim is important. I love coming to my lessons, practicing on my own in the pool, and feeling proud when reaching a new goal." - Austin
"I love the Y's group fitness classes like TRX and Cycling. They are such a treat for me because I feel like I'm in great hands and part of a community. Everyone's rooting for each other." – Jamie, 10 Year Member
339 North Washington Street
Butler, PA 16001
P 724 287 4733
F 724 287 1007
The Butler County Family YMCA is a non-profit, charitable organization open to all people, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, ability or income. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.